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Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Top Video Games, Books, and Television of 2016

Normally
at the end of the year I write a blog post reflecting on the year. For months
now the common consensus among many is that 2016 was a trash fire of a year.
The combination of dismal international news, terrorism and tragedies, a
stagnant economy, the deaths of many prominent and beloved public
figures/entertainers, and the concerning outcome of the American elections is
enough to make it a dark chapter in the twenty-first century for many. With no
disrespect to the recent deaths, including Carrie Fisher today, if you're
measuring this year by that alone, you need to give your head a shake and consider
the recent massacres and tragedies in places like Syria, Istanbul, Orlando,
Berlin, Nice, Nigeria, Iraq and on, and on. But I digress.

And
now for a sharp, and graceless turn. Various media were important for mental
relaxation and de-stressing during 2016. I would like to share these with you and
perhaps it will encourage you to explore them yourself. I hope you can get as
much pleasure from them as I did.

Video
Games

#3
- Cities: Skylines (Plus After Dark and Snowfall DLC)

Cities:
Skylines to many, myself included, is the city-building video game that you've
wanted since you tinkered with SimCity, or sketched maps in the margin or
doodled skylines from your fantasies. Released in 2015 I purchased the game
this year and it was greatly enhanced by the release of two pieces of DLC, one
of which came out in 2016. The game allows an incredible degree of
specialization and detail work. It is incredibly open to mods. Artists (there
is hardly a better word for them) have meticulously reconstructed real cities
or designed environments the feel very real. In some ways it's more of a
sophisticated model-maker for some.

I
play the game as a city manager and simulation game. The sensitivity and
responsiveness of the game is remarkable. There aren't just roads, there are
roads of different widths and intents. You can have roads with bus lanes or
bike lanes, country roads, or arterials. The freeway system is essentially
freeform and allows an incredible degree of individuality. It permits a degree
of experimentation to figure out what configuration of roads and transit work.
Transit options include taxis, buses, trams/streetcars, heavy rail, and
subways. Properties and land grow and develop based on many factors and are
redeveloped to more sophisticated and denser buildings.

Perhaps
on the best additions to the genre is the district system. You can cater laws,
incentives, and regulations to give each neighbourhood a unique feel, just as
in real cities. Unlike SimCity the game feels grounded and far less cartoony.
When one of my cities are successful and well-designed I feel like I've created
a realistic place that could find a home in our world. The progress system and
intrinsic rewards make it a great way to invest leisure time.

#2
- Stellaris

I
am a science fiction nerd. I love the genre. When Paradox Interactive announced
their plan to make their own space strategy game I was incredibly excited.
Crusader Kings II , Europa Universalis IV, and Victoria II are among my
favourite games so I was interested to see how Paradox would tackle this
subgenre in their unique style. They did not disappoint.

Stellaris
breathes in all the major science fiction influences. Events, anomalies and
story elements are torn from Asimov, Heinlein, Dick, Clarke, Star Trek, Star
Wars, and many more. It comes across as loving homage. Players are given a wide
set of tools to create a unique species. As with Cities: Skylines mod support
is broad so already Mass Effect, Star Trek and other mods are in place to
introduce beloved species.

The
randomness in each galaxy I have played on creates exciting new options. The
tech tree means that there is not a "correct" way to play. Like the
Civilization series there are any number of ways to win. However, I would say
that playing a game of geopolitics in space (astropolitics?) there is no clear
end. Victory doesn't seem like owning the galaxy from one end to the other, in
my opinion. The answer this problem the game designers introduced late game
crises. Intergalactic invasion or artificial intelligence uprising can be the
final challenge for your space empire, star republic, or democratic galactic
federation.

If
you love science fiction and strategy I think this game offers a great deal.
Earlier this week I was playing my space empire of retile-like imperialists. I
encountered a signal from a gas giant. A group of non-corporeal beings begged
for help to migrate to a new home. I transported them to a new gas giant... but
then later they asked to move into a gas giant in my territory. I do not know
if this will go anywhere, but I love playing it out. First contact, space
battles, xenophobia, uplifting, it has it all.

#1
- The Witness

Released
early in the year I may have dedicated the most mental processing power to this
game during 2016. On the surface The Witness is a simple puzzle game but as you
play you uncover more and more meaning. There are multiple layers of puzzles in
the game and meaning. The game contains thoughts on truth and reality.
According to the designer Jonathan Blow The Witness is about truth. The world
is built to be consistent and coherent. An underlying logic holds the game
together.

Puzzles
and mysteries are at the core. Unraveling the game became somewhat an obsession
for me. At times I have considered meticulously documenting the entire game,
including things like the statues to see if there is any meaning I could
extract. Bringing up the statues I should take a moment to talk about the art.
I love the visual aesthetic of the game. I love the bright colours, the diverse
environments and the... magic for lack of a better word. There is a serenity in
The Witness.

There
is an immense sense of satisfaction in peeling back the layers of the island
and in solving individual puzzles. Portal 2 is perhaps my favourite game of all
time and The Witness is the first time I felt the same way in a long time. I
have a feeling it will stick with me for a long time.

Books

Non-Fiction

Paris
1919, reviewed on this blog, offers incredible insight in how World War I
shaped the world we live in today. For all the attention given to World War II,
the First World War has done a great deal to determine the world we live in
today. Diplomatic history is fascinating in how the petty relationships of a
handful of men determine the fate of states and nations. There is a great value
in better understanding this period.

The
Wind-Up Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi was a unique take on the future. In a world
decimated by climate change and resources are scarce the human and political
drama in Thailand is enthralling. The world is alive and horrifying, yet it
feels like a possible glimpse into our dark future. The story follows a western
business man trying to operate a factory in the corrupt Kingdom of Thailand but
through his actions, the actions of others, and random circumstances gets
caught in web of rivalries, treachery and violence.

Artificial
intelligence is a topic that captures my imagination. A series that is built
upon mystery, AI, incredible visual and social commentary is going to appeal a
great deal to me. I was not into LOST at the time, but I imagine the excitement
I felt discussing the show and theories with friends was what drove the
popularity and affection for that series. The incredible performances of actors
like Jeffrey Wright, Ed Harris, Anthony Hopkins and Sidse Babett Knudson made
sometimes flat writing gripping. Westworld raises questions that demand
reflection in regards to AI. The season was by no means perfect but it was
perhaps the most enthralling television I watched in 2016.